After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
Saudi Arabia tilts toward India Pakistan, after refusing to supply troops for Saudi Arabia's war against Yemen, finds the Gulf kingdom improving relations with Pakistani archenemy India. Saudi Arabia
Rafsanjani denies closing his social media accounts The office for Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani denied that he would be closing his social media accounts after criticism for a tweet. Iran
Syrian refugees boost Turkish economy, but for how long? Syrian refugees provided a much-needed boost to the slowing Turkish economy last year, but their contribution is not expected to last. Syria
Why Egypt abstained from voting on UN sex crime resolution Egypt believes a country could suffer far-reaching consequences under the UN resolution. Egypt
Hamas' call for more taxes gets Gazans fired up Gazans are questioning Hamas’ decision to impose additional taxes, as they are still plagued by poverty, unemployment and insecurity, with no plans for development on the horizon. Palestine
How religious movements gained the upper hand in Iraqi protests The movement led by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Iraq has managed to stifle the pro-reform secular movement protests. Iraq
Will Palestinian interaction with Israel be stopped? Criticism of the Committee for Interaction with Israeli Society has grown louder after a Palestinian delegation offered condolences for the death of an Israeli officer. Palestine
Will Jordan ban the Muslim Brotherhood? Tensions between Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood and the government flare up as Jordan’s government closes an MBG office and prevents the group from holding internal elections. Jordan
Will Israel limit the power of its own Supreme Court? The duel between Israel's Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and Supreme Court President Miriam Naor over the gas outline ruling reflects the battle within Israeli society between radical forces and those protecting liberal values. Israel
Is Egypt the key to a Hamas, Fatah reconciliation? Although optimism prevails in Hamas and Fatah circles, many observers believe no reconciliation agreement can be expected without Egyptian sponsorship. Palestine
Will Shiite alliance in Iraq continue to survive? Conflicts spread beyond Shiite internal circles, while traditional authorities such as the higher Shiite authority and Iran have failed to reduce differences. Iraq
Why Israel needs a two-state solution Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's view of Islamic State terror as a clash of civilizations paints Israel as the "good guy," absolving it of resolving the conflict with the Palestinians. Palestine
